Match Report | Auxerre 1-2 Monaco: Mika Biereth’s brace the difference as ASM advance in Coupe de France | OneFootball

Mika Biereth’s brace allowed AS Monaco to edge out a determined AJ Auxerre side (1-2) and advance in the Coupe de France, in what was the only all-Ligue 1 tie of the round.

The Match

Monaco started off excellently against an Auxerre side decimated by injuries. Maghnes Akliouche volleyed an excellent chance over and it set the tone for a profligate half from the Principality club. The France international did, nonetheless, tee up Mika Biereth for the opener, finding the Dane with an inch-perfect cross. 

But thereafter, the chances came and went for Sébastien Pocognoli’s side. Folarin Balogun was furious with himself when he headed over unmarked from the same spot that Biereth had scored just moments earlier, and then Akliouche had another two glorious chances, but one-on-one against second-choice goalkeeper Théo De Percin, he couldn’t find the net, striking straight at the Frenchman on both occasions.

When you don’t take your chances, you leave yourself exposed and Monaco found that out the hard way when Lamine Sy burst into the box. He then dug his studs into the turf, but with Aleksandr Golovin inches away, the referee believed that the Russian had brought the AJA man down. VAR was not in action to overturn the decision and Assane Dioussé then struck his penalty in emphatic style. 

Auxerre then grew into the game, conceded fewer chances and posed a threat of their own, even if they were unable to test Lukas Hradecky. Les Monégasques’ rhythm was also halted by a worrying injury for Takumi Minamino, who was stretchered off midway through the half. 

A game book-ended by squandered chances

The half-time didn’t jumpstart a Monaco team that conceded the first big chance of the first half, which Rudy Matondo failed to finish. With the game lulling, it was Minamino’s substitute, Mamadou Coulibaly who, in a moment of inspiration, glided past three Auxerre players and played the ball into Biereth, who got his brace.

But once again, having taken the lead, they couldn’t make the break. Balogun had a glorious chance but scuffed his shot from just a couple of yards out with the goal gaping and Thilo Kehrer then hit the post with a header.

Unlike in the first half, Monaco were ultimately not punished for their wasteful finishing and progress at the expense of a spirited Auxerre side.

Man of the Match: Mika Biereth

Not always involved, he was nonetheless the difference-maker on the day. This was more similar to the Biereth that we saw in the second half of last season; you wouldn’t see him until he popped up in the box to finish. He found space well on two occasions and took his chance both times. His link-up was not always exceptional. There was a great ball through to Akliouche, who then set up Balogun’s late chance, but there were other occasions where the final ball was lacking. Overall, however, this is a performance that will give the Denmark international confidence heading into 2026, as in 90 minutes, he has doubled his goal tally from the entire campaign.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle